Walking the Dogs

I was walking the dogs last Saturday at Ann Morrison Park. Tee Tucker and Harriet love it because of all the smells and the river. Tucker was the first one in the river and she had a great time splashing and running. Tucker is the only dog I have ever seen that really can't swim. She dog paddles for all she is worth but when she can no longer feel her feet on the bottom she gets scared. She then starts to sink and all you can see is her nose sticking out of the water. 

Harriet is a good swimmer but she is a real chicken. Every little thing scares her. So she is very tentative at first. But once she is going she gets braver and braver. She will actually get up on the bank and jump in, something that Tee Tucker will not do. Since the river is so fast moving and deep towards the center I don't let them off their leashes. I have two 24 foot reel type leashes and they are always on them. Unlike other dog owners I don't let my dogs free-range nor do I believe that everybody loves my dogs just because I do. 

I have taken them to the fenced dog park and have let them off their leashes there but I would never do it any place else. I know that people let their dogs off leash on the trails in the foothills but I believe that is a recipe for disaster. The chances of a two dogs fighting or scaring a person or child that is scared of dogs anyway is just too great. Even if the person likes dogs not everybody wants to be jumped on or licked either. You may know how your dog will react to another dog but do you know what the other person's dog will do, of course you don't so why would you take the risk with an animal you claim to care for.